News Report 13^th January 2008

Now based in Queenstown on the South Island of New Zealand two erstwhile members of Bro Dysynni A.C., namely Adrian Bailey and Alun Llyr Williams, continue to make their mark on the world of athletics, albeit on the other side of the world.

The previously based Barmouth duo achieved a double success at the recent Southern Muster Half-Marathon, held in the town of Cardrona, near Wanaka on the South Island, as Bailey strolled to victory in the half-marathon whilst team-mate Williams achieved success in the affiliated 10k race. With the race being held within the Snow Farm resort area, one of the prime ski resorts within New Zealand, the altitude proved an additional test to the tough course, but the hard training put in by the duo over recent months paid dividends as Bailey, having won the event in 2006, repeated his success, on this occasion in a time of 1hr 16.28mins. Not to be outdone, team-mate Williams put in a staunch performance as, despite recent injury concerns, he also claimed victory in the affiliated 10k race, his winning time being 37.52mins.

Much closer to home, the veteran ladies team from Bro Dysynni A.C. continued their promotion drive last Saturday afternoon as Wrexham played host to the fourth, and penultimate, fixture of the Majestic Travel North Wales Cross Country League. With promotion to the top division a very real possibility, the five strong team excelled on the relatively flat course to further enhance their league placing within Division 2. A revitalised Debbie Evans of Tywyn led home her colleagues in a time of 23.20mins with Brenda Jones of Llanelltyd following in 26.22mins. Stepping up her preparations for her inaugural London Marathon in April was Marit Evans of Dolgellau, home in 27.46mins, whilst Yolanda Marconi-Nolan and Marj Griffiths completed an excellent team performance with respective finishing times of 28.33mins and 29.49mins. In the men's event, Richard Griffiths of Tywyn continued to plough a lonely furrow as, yet again he was the only Dysynni male performer, on this occasion finishing in 41.23mins.

A.Unwin